Nahal Yousefian: Former Head of HR for Netflix Shares How We Should Shape the Future of Work

Feb 16, 2025

Nahal Yousefian, former Head of HR at Netflix, shares her journey through burnout and the lessons learned about workplace culture. She discusses how corporate jargon and unclear communication contribute to employee stress. Nahal emphasizes the need for honest conversations and proactive strategies to enhance well-being. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on creativity and the critical shift needed in HR practices to adapt to a changing workforce. Ultimately, Nahal advocates for a future of work that prioritizes genuine connection and mental health.

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ANECDOTE

Burnout Neck Spasm

Nahal Yousefian's burnout manifested as a severe neck spasm in Prague, making even swallowing difficult.
Acupuncture and conversations with Cait Donovan helped her connect her physical pain to ignoring burnout signs.

INSIGHT

Leaving Corporate for Change

Nahal realized that she could effect change faster outside a corporate setting.
Corporate structures often confine individuals to specific roles, limiting their impact.

INSIGHT

Communication Breakdown

Corporate dysfunction and stress often stem from poor communication and unclear expectations.
Leaders and employees often misinterpret each other, with HR struggling to bridge the gap.

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Burnout thrives in the spaces where people aren’t saying what they really mean.

In this episode, Cait Donovan is joined by Nahal Yousefian, a former head of HR at Netflix, to talk about why work culture fuels burnout and what needs to change. Nahal shares how burnout hit her hard—so hard she physically couldn’t move—and why that moment forced her to rethink everything.

Nahal pulls back the curtain on corporate dysfunction, from empty jargon to leadership that talks in circles. Why are companies obsessed with being “strategic” while refusing to make clear decisions? Why does psychological safety feel like a buzzword instead of a real priority? And what happens when employees finally get tired of playing along?

This episode cuts through the noise and makes the case for honest conversations, smarter work structures, and a workplace where well-being isn’t treated like an afterthought.

Quotes

“The leader was talking about apples, the employees talking about oranges, and HR is in the middle trying to get them to see that they’re talking about two different things.” (16:16 | Nahal Yousefian)
“I think after 20 years in the business, which was last summer, I started to realize that with the coming up of AI and the sort of technology and the social media platforms and avenues, I think that I would be able to exact change faster coming out than being inside a corporation.” (10:11 | Nahal Yousefian)
“In a day and age where generations coming into the workplace are demanding authenticity, corporate jargon has gone even more on steroids than ever before.” (22:33| Nahal Yousefian)
“If you look at the numbers, it’s a mathematical game where the number of managers who will judge you for asking questions versus the ones that won’t. We tend to go with the 80-20 rule. We know 20% of the managers are going to create a fair environment and I’m scared to ask questions, but 80% are okay. But because of that 20%, the employees reporting to the other 80% don’t do it either. So I think that’s the dynamic that we need to shift.” (28:44 | Nahal Yousefian)
“Following your heart is burnout prevention and burnout recovery. It’s one of the rare things that fits in both categories.” (58:32 | Cait Donovan)

Links

Connect with Nahal Yousefian:

www.thebarraisers.com

https://www.instagram.com/thebarraisers?igsh=Y3BhZTh4cTd4NW1k&utm_source=qr

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nahalyousefian/

Connect with Cait:

Initial Call with Cait: bit.ly/callcait

Initial Call with Sarah: bit.ly/callsarahv

Burnout Recovery works better with support. UNFRIED is our small group (5 people max!) coaching program to help guide you through your recovery. Apply now! [http://bit.ly/unfried]

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